MARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) — Two people were killed and two others were injured in a gun battle at a Virginia restaurant late Friday.

Martinsville Police Chief Eddie Cassady told the Roanoke Times the incident began with an argument between two groups at El Norteno restaurant.

Two Martinsville residents died at the scene and two others were sent to the hospital with serious injuries.

Virginia State Police said in a news release that the incident began at about 10:30 p.m. when several customers in the bar area began to argue, weapons were produced and shots rang out.

Police said two Martinsville men, ages 23 and 33, were killed. Their names have not been released pending notification of next of kin.

A third man was chased out of the restaurant and into the parking lot by two other men who had started shooting at him, the release stated.

A Martinsville police officer on patrol in his vehicle heard the shots and raced to the scene. The officer fired at the two armed men and struck one of them, the release stated.

State Police said charges are pending but did not specify what those charges might be or identify any potential suspects.

Because a Martinsville police officer was involved, Virginia State Police are handling the investigation. Police did not immediately release the identity of the officer.